It’s getting close to the time of year when the ghosts and ghouls come out to play and trick or treaters roam our streets in search of tasty treats. Torontonians love Halloween, and the city is blessed with a wide range of family-friendly spooky activities (that are fun for all ages) at this time of year.

Below we’re going to list a few of our favorite Halloween events that are more than worthy of your consideration if you’re in Toronto this time of year.

Let’s get started.

Boo At The ZooToronto Zoo - 2000 Meadowvale RdAs you might have guessed from the name, Boo At The Zoo is a spooky Halloween event that takes place throughout the day at Toronto Zoo. It’s a costume party where you and the kids can get dressed up and have a fun and educational experience together marveling at the many wonderful animals that call the Zoo home. The event runs from October 20th through to October 28th and admission is free for children in costume when accompanied by a paying adult (one free child ticket per paying adult).

Howling HootenannyBlack Creek Pioneer Village - 1000 Murray Ross PkwyThe Howling Hootenanny is located in the north west of Toronto at Black Creek Pioneer Village – and it’s everything you’d expect from a classic Canadian Halloween event. There are all kinds of spooky activities on offer here including apple slingshots, pumpkin decorating games, spooky (but not scary) live performances on stage, a creepy creature exhibit, and the star of the show - an incredibly fun haunted maze. The Howling Hootenanny runs from the 20th to the 28th of October and children under 5 receive free admission (paid tickets range from $11 to $15).

Haunted High ParkColborne Lodge – 11 Colborne Lodge DriveThis is one of the scarier events on this list, and as such, it shouldn’t be attended by children under the age of 13 (and teenagers need to be accompanied by an adult), but if you like life on the scary side – this is an event you should seriously consider attending.

Throughout the evening you’ll learn about funeral traditions from the 19th century in the spooky candlelit atmosphere of Toronto’s historic Colborne Lodge. The highlight of the event is undoubtedly the “real” Victorian séance that’s performed live in front of visitors by Eldritch Theatre’s Doc Wuthergloom – it’s not for the faint-hearted! Haunted High Park runs from the 20th of October through to the 28th, tickets cost $32.50 and are available online or at the door.

Legends Of HorrorCasa Loma - 1 Austin TerraceToronto’s historic castle Casa Loma is host to one of the most popular Canadian Halloween events of 2018. The majority of the building is transformed into one of the best haunted houses in the country that has an authenticity to it that’s hard to find elsewhere. The event involves you taking a self-guided stroll around the castle grounds and gardens while exploring tunnels and spooky dark rooms (many of which have never been open to the public before).

The walking trail takes around 1 hour and is best enjoyed in full costume (for both you and the kids) to get the full experience. Along the trail, you’ll be greeted (and scared) by several famous characters from horror movies played by enthusiastic actors and actresses that perfectly walk the line between scary and fun.

Legends Of Horror runs from October 29th through to October 31st and if possible, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance.

Toronto is a vibrant metropolis that has over 2.8 million people calling it home – and there’s something for everyone to enjoy here, regardless of your tastes. While the big tourist attractions get the most attention and visitation, there’s a whole world of little-known things to do and places to see that you can easily miss if you don’t know about them.

With that in mind, today we’re going to share a little bit of local knowledge and tell you about a few of the most interesting and unusual things you can do on your next visit to Toronto. Let’s get started.

The Monkey’s Paw(1229 Dundas St. W)The Monkey’s Paw is a bookstore like no other, it was named after a horror story written by W.W Jacobs and focuses on the unique, the unusual, and the downright bizarre.

There are 4 sections to the store, the beautiful, the macabre, the absurd, and the arcane – in each of which you’ll find books that will leave you with more questions than answers.

The star of the show here is the Bibliomat, which will dispense a random book when you insert a token (which can be purchased for $3 at the counter). The books inside are as strange as the books on the shelves, and they’re great conversation starters to place on your coffee table – if you get lucky.​

The Half House (54 1/2 St. Patrick St)As the name suggests, The Half House is literally half of a terraced house that has been cut right down the middle. Apparently, the owners of The Half House were reluctant to sell their property, at the same time the owners of the connected property next door needed to demolish the house they owned to create space for an adjacent lot.

It was discovered that an interior wall that separated these two properties was load bearing, which meant partial demolition with possible. With almost surgical precision, one half of the house was demolished while leaving the remaining half intact.

It’s only going to pique your interest for a few minutes, but if you’re nearby – it’s well worth checking out.

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library (120 St George St)This library contains a treasure trove of old, historical, and notable books that are mainly part of the University of Toronto’s collection. Any visitor can request to see and even handle the books – some of which are quite special.

You can take a look at things like Shakespeare’s first folio, genuine annotations made by Charles Darwin from his research on the Galapagos islands, and there are even a few Egyptian manuscripts that date back almost 2300 years here too.

Winter Garden Theatre(189 Yonge St)This is probably the most well-known attraction, but it’s also one of the most unique. The Winter Garden Theatre is the world’s last functioning Edwardian double-decker theatre.

Most people find the upper theatre to be the most impressive, and it has been decorated in a way that tries to bring the great outdoors inside the theatre. It’s predominantly white and has countless stunning murals painted on the walls of trees, plants, animals, and other fantasy wonderland style depictions.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the otherworldly ceiling that has been intertwined with over 5000 beech branches. The sight of the leaves that hang down from these branches is something that has to be experienced in person to be fully appreciated.

There are tours available here on Saturdays and Thursdays, but we recommend you go and see a show here instead if you want to get the full experience.

Canadian Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. It shares a name with the American version of the holiday and there are several similarities between how the two events are celebrated – but there are quite a few differences too.

Today we are going to take a look at a few of the most notable differences you’ll find between the two holidays (that will make for great conversation over your next Thanksgiving dinner).

Let’s get started.

The Dates Are DifferentThe most obvious difference between the two Thanksgivings is that they are celebrated at different times of the year. Canadian Thanksgiving occurs first and falls on the second Monday in October (which is October 8th in 2018). Coincidentally this is the same day as Columbus day in the USA, but there is no connection between the two holidays. American Thanksgiving falls over a month later on the 4th Thursday of November – this year it’s on November 22nd.

They Celebrate Different EventsThe reason the dates are so different between these two holidays is that they started off by celebrating entirely different events. There’s a little bit of a debate surrounding the origins of Canadian Thanksgiving, but historians are generally agreed on the fact that the first Thanksgiving in North America was a Canadian one.

Sir Martin Frobisher (an English explorer) and the crew of his ship are often credited with being the first people to celebrate Thanksgiving in an event that happened in Newfoundland in 1578 (but there are several historians who will argue against this). The sailors were trying to find the northwest passage through to Asia, but instead, they found North America. They celebrated their arrival (and the survival of the perilous journey) and thus Thanksgiving was born.

The American version of Thanksgiving in Plymouth, MA didn’t make an appearance until over 40 years later in 1621.

It Has Only “Recently” Been Made OfficialPart of the disagreement surrounding the time and location of the first Canadian Thanksgiving is not helped along by the ever-changing date of the holiday.

American Thanksgiving has always celebrated the same event (the pilgrims being thankful for a bountiful harvest) but the Canadian version has had different meanings throughout the years. These days we’re usually celebrating a bountiful harvest, but in the past, we’ve held different Thanksgiving celebrations, at different times of the year, for different reasons.

Here are 3 of the most interesting ones:

April 21st, 1814- “For glorious victories over our enemies”

February 6th, 1833- “Cessation of Cholera”

November 1st, 1834 - “End of quarantine of ships at Grosse Isle”

In recent years Canadians have been celebrating Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October (which has been happening since 1931) and this date was made official by parliament in 1957.

We Don’t Have Black FridayWhile Black Friday has started to become more commonplace in Canada over the years, it’s still nowhere near on the scale of how it takes place in the USA.

The biggest shopping day of the year in Canada is boxing day (the day after Christmas day) when the stores are full of people trying to take advantage of the traditionally generous discounts and deals that are on offer. It’s an action-packed event where long lines of people waiting to return unwanted gifts mingle with shoppers who are competing with one another to find the best deals.

Despite all this excitement, it’s a tame and calm event compared to the chaotic American black Friday scenes that regularly make the rounds on the News channels every year - but it can certainly put the famous Canadian politeness to the test.

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting countless business travellers from all corners of the globe. Along the way, we’ve picked up a few excellent travel tips that can make a good business trip great. Here are 5 ways you can ensure that your next business trip is the smoothest one yet.

Fly Non-Stop​Spending half a day waiting around in the airport for a connecting flight is a massive waste of time and energy. Flying non-stop is almost always worth any extra expense or arrangements that need to be made. Ideally, you need to arrive at your destination as fresh as possible ready to get down to business.

Bonus Tip:Ensure your flight is non-stop and not just direct. Direct flights can have a stop where the plane lands, refuels, and takes on passengers without you leaving the aircraft – this is better than a layover, but it’s still less than ideal.

Join Loyalty ProgramsIf you’re making several trips a year, it pays to be loyal – both in the air and on the ground.

Many airlines have frequent flyer schemes that can provide you with a range of benefits including lounge access, free upgrades, and priority boarding. Not all airlines are going to fly to every destination you want to go to - so try and pick one or two major ones and stick with them whenever possible.

Similarly, most hotel chains will have loyalty programs that provide you with rewards to thank you for sending your repeat business their way – and they can be extremely generous.

For example:Here at Monte Carlo Inns we have our Diamond Rewards program with which you can earn free upgrades, complimentary rooms, and enjoy a whole host of other gifts and benefits too.

Try And Avoid Checking BagsFor longer trips and in certain situations this tip isn’t going to be applicable - but if you can avoid checking in your bags, everything about flying becomes quicker and easier.

The most obvious benefit is that you don’t have to wait 30 minutes after you land to collect your baggage, but there’s much more to it than that…

• You don’t run the risk of missing an important meeting or turning up in your traveling clothes because the airline has lost your bag• Getting to and from the airport is much easier as you only have to carry one bag• If you only have carry on luggage in some airports you can skip the check-in desk completely. Simply print out your boarding pass at home and head straight for security when you arrive instead

Get Your Charging Routine SortedThere’s nothing worse than leaving for a long haul flight only to find that you haven’t remembered to charge your phone / laptop / headphones. Leave all your essential electronics on charge overnight before you leave and place them next to your wallet or purse so you have no chance of forgetting them.

Order A Vegetarian MealOn the vast majority of flights, special meals get distributed among the passengers first – which includes vegetarian options.

Even if you’re not a vegetarian, if you’re willing to skip meat for just one meal while you’re on the plane it’s possibly a good idea to order the veggie option when you’re booking your ticket - especially on night flights.

By doing this, you’ll almost certainly get your food before everyone else - which means you don’t have to wait for the entire plane to be fed and for dinner service to finish before you can relax and go to sleep.

Summer is here in Toronto!We’re currently enjoying glorious days of cloud-free skies, pristine sunshine, and soaring temperatures. Torontonians love it when the sun is out, the city comes alive and the atmosphere of happiness in the air brings a smile to the faces of tourists and locals alike.

But, despite how much fun we have with the sun, sometimes you just need to cool off a bit.

With that in mind today we’re going to share with you 4 ways you can beat the heat in Toronto this summer.

Let’s get started

Eat Some Ice CreamWe’re blessed in Toronto to have some of the most delicious ice cream parlors in the entire country – and nothing cools you down on a summer’s day like an ice cold cone. Wherever you are in the city you’re not going to have to walk far to find a great ice cream, most neighborhoods have their own local legendary parlor.

However, if you’re looking for something extra special, try out Ed’s Real Scoop. They’ve got an almost cult-like following among some locals, and it’s an ice cream you’re never going to forget. The original parlor is the one in the Beaches, but you’ll find them in Roncesvalles, Leslieville, or Roncey too.

Be sure to ask about the ice cream pie, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.

Stand Up Paddle-boardingWhile the aim of stand up paddleboarding is to stay out of the water and paddle around on the surface – if you’ve never tried it before, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get wet.

There are numerous SUP rental places around the lake and the islands that will be able to get you started. Classes are optional but will speed up the learning curve – however, most people just grab a board and give it a go on their own.

Note:Remember to wear lots of sunscreen and cover up if you rent a SUP - you’re going to be in direct sunlight. Whenever you feel like cooling down, just jump in!

Woodbine BeachWho needs the sea when you’ve got a lake like this? Woodbine beach has a happy, electric, and alive feel to it on a hot summer’s day when Torontonians flock to its sandy shores to escape the heat of the concrete jungle.

It’s one of Toronto’s swimmable beaches, and there are lifeguards present at certain points, so it’s great to take a dip on a warm day(it’sa blue flag beach). The beach is pretty large, so you’ll be able to take a soccer ball or some tennis rackets for a spot of beach sports if that’s your thing(andthere are volleyball courts there too).

Note:There can very occasionally be undercurrents in the water here, so be sure to only swim in the areas designated as safe for swimming by the lifeguards.

Chill Ice HouseChill Ice House is the countries largest ice bar, and it’s the coldest place you can be in Toronto on a hot summer’s day(probably).The entire place is constantly kept at-5cand you’ll be drinking out of ice glasses and sitting on ice chairs while being served top quality beers, wines, and soft drinks.

When you arrive you’ll be handed a warm parker coat and a pair of woolly gloves to keep you comfortable while you’re inside(whichis quite a surreal feeling after coming in from the heat). During the day it’s a family friendly place and kids absolutely love the experience, after about 8 pm it turns into a club that’s for adults only where you can dance the night away.

It has been about a month now since our 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament and the buzz around the office and our 8 properties continues. This year Monte Carlo Inns, along with the amazing support of all the volunteers, sponsors, donors and golfers, was able to raise a whopping $45,000 in support of the Darling Home for Kids. For those of you who have not heard of the Darling Home for Kids, it is a home that provides high quality respite and palliative care services for children who are medically fragile and technology dependent, many of whom suffer from progressive illness. This has been Monte Carlo Inns charity of choice for 19 years and it will continue to be for years to come.

For more information on the Darling Home for Kids, visit their website here. To get involved next year, either by means or donation, volunteering or golfing, please email us at customerservice@montecarloinns.com. Our event sold out fast this year and we are expecting the same for 2019!

For those of you who don't know, Barrie is city about one hour north of Toronto that sits on the shore of beautiful Lake Simcoe. It has been knows for its beautiful scenic views in the summer and its proximity to many ski hills in the winter. For this reason, Monte Carlo Inns loved the idea of being one of the few hotels in Barrie. ​Sit along the picturesque waterfront and grab a Kawartha Lakes Ice-cream and dine at one of the many restaurants, including our very own Scarpaccio Ristorante to complete a great day outside of the bustling city of Toronto. And, if you visit between July 6 and July 23, you can take advantage of the Barrielicious food menu, which is a food festival celebrating local restaurants and chefs. Our on site restaurant, Scarpaccio Ristorante, is taking part in this culinary feature, and their feature menu can be found here. For more information about hotels in Barrie, or visiting Barrie, please visit our website or call our toll free number at1-800-363-6400.

The New York Times touts Toronto as one of the top-10 places to visit… worldwide! And it’s no surprise—with all the summer events and activities the GTA has to propose, there are few places in the world that offer more!Plus the GTA offers world-class accommodations at reasonable prices! Hotels in or near Brampton, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan Mills, Oakville and elsewhere in Ontario offer great deals to overnight visitors.Let’s take a look at four of the no-miss summer events and activities you should take in while in Toronto:

CN Tower. Probably the best word to describe the CN Tower is “jaw-dropping”! There’s just no way around it! As national icon and engineering wonder, the CN Tower is a must-see. First, you’re catapulted to the top in a glass-walled elevator in 58 seconds. From there you can take in the incredible vistas (up to 160 kilometres on a clear day) from one of four observation decks (one with a glass floor—yikes!). The more intrepid can stroll on the “world’s highest outdoor walk on a building.” After the adrenaline has settled, enjoy a meal in the award-winning revolving restaurant or browse through the gift shop. There are activities for kids, as well!

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The ROM celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. It is one of North America’s premiere cultural institutions and Canada’s largest museum with six million items on display in 40 exhibition spaces. No matter what interests you, you will find it in abundance at the ROM—visual art, material culture, palaeontology, earth sciences, archaeology… it’s all at the ROM!

Toronto Zoo. If you’re looking for something to do with the whole family, the Toronto Zoo is the place to go! With tours, events and exhibits of all kinds, you have an embarrassment of riches to choose from! So hurry in with the family. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the kids!

Distillery District. Travel back in time at one of Toronto’s hottest tourist destinations! The Distillery District is a vibrant neighbourhood full of brick-lined, car-free streets and beautifully restored Victorian industrial buildings. What’s your fancy? Live theatre? Galleries? Award-winning restaurants? You’ll find it in the Distillery District… and it’s just a short walk from downtown Toronto!

There are so many things to do in Toronto!Contact us at Monte Carlo Inns and let us be your home-away-from-home! With great hotel deals in or near Brampton, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan Mills, Oakville and elsewhere in Ontario, Monte Carlo Inns are there for you!

Visiting a new city is always exciting. If you and the entire family are visiting the area for fun at Canada’s Wonderland or the best shopping at Vaughan Mills, you will need hotels in Vaughan.Staying in hotels with children, especially young children, poses a few unique issues. From deciding how many rooms you will need to the size of the room and amenities, you have your work cut out for you. Luckily, you can narrow down the list just by knowing a few basics for selecting the right hotel for a family-friendly stay.

Tips for Staying in Hotels Near Vaughan Mills and Surrounding AreasFrom implementing a few “survival tactics” to ensuring everyone has fun, here are some must-know tips when staying in hotels with young ones:

Contact the Hotel Ahead of Time -When looking for hotels, call the hotel directly and ask them about their family-friendly suites and room options. They can direct you as to which size room is best for a family, so you can ensure you have enough beds and space.

Safety First -Some hotels are better suited for business travellers than families on vacation. So, bring along a few baby-proofing must-haves to ensure your hotel room is safe for any little ones coming along.

Loyalty Program -If you and your family come to the area often, look for a hotel that offers a loyalty program so you can earn rewards and make family vacations cheaper.

Modern Amenities -Travelling with teens? Then you will want to ensure the hotel you choose has the teen-approved amenities. This includes high-speed internet, digital movies, and a swimming pool.

Connected Rooms -When travelling with older children, one hotel room might not be enough. When your kids are over 13 years, you may consider a separate room for the children. Ask the hotel if they have connected rooms so that you are side-by-side and have an access door in between.

Local Deals -Some hotels near Canada’s Wonderland offer packages to make your trip more affordable. Planning to go to Legoland Discovery Centre? You might be able to book a room, breakfast, and tickets in the same transaction.

Enjoy Family-Friendly Amenities with Parent-Pleasing Accommodations at Monte Carlo InnsMany so called family-friendly hotels tend to slack on amenities that keep travelling parents comfortable. At Monte Carlo Inns, we understand that families need safe accommodations, but also a comfortable place to rest after a long day visiting the attractions. Our hotel in Vaughanis close to local attractions, and we offer large suites with our signature Simmons Beautyrest mattresses so that everyone gets a great night’s rest.Contact us onlineto inquire about our family-friendly accommodations or to see what options are available at our Monte Carlo Inns - Vaughan Suites. Book online nowor call 1-866-664-9500 to make your reservation at our hotel near Canada’s Wonderland.​

​How about venturing “off the beaten track” and enjoying a quiet and romantic picnic in one of Toronto’s many parks? You will leave charmed and relaxed and wondering why you don’t do it more often!And with unbeatable hotel deals available in Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton, you’re never far away from any of a number of magical picnic parks and other attractions!Let’s look at four of the premier picnicking spots and their nearby park attractions in the GTA:

Scarborough Bluffs. If you enjoy sensational natural vistas and like exploring, this one’s for you! Located in the heart of the East End, Scarborough Bluffs is an urban geological wonder boasting nearly fifteen kilometres of coastline, multiple trails to explore and an escarpment that rises ninety meters above Lake Ontario. Find a quiet corner and enjoy your picnic!

High Park. Grab a hotel deal in Mississauga or Brampton and get on over to High Park for a picnic before going about your evening activities! With 18 designated picnic areas, recreational activities and Grenadier Pond, there’s no shortage of beautiful and relaxing places to picnic. Depending when you’re here, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring or Shakespeare in High Park until Labour Day! If you come with the kids, scoot on over to the High Park Zoo. Or visit the nearby hip and up-and-coming Junction neighbourhood.

Trinity Bellwoods Park — another popular picnic park with plenty of attractions in the area. You can’t get much closer to central Toronto than Trinity Bellwoods Park! Its massive trees provide welcome shade, or you can take in amateur tennis, volleyball and softball. Your kids will love the wading pool! And for the ultimate refreshing experience hit one of the ice cream shops on Queen or Ossington, or grab a cool brew at a local joint. Pets are welcome in the park and don’t forget to partake in one of the “Picnic in the Park” take-away specials from nearby eateries!

Port Credit Memorial Park. So… you’re enjoying your hotel deal in Mississauga or Brampton and you’re looking for a quick afternoon picnic getaway? Try Port Credit! It’s close by and features several barbecue and picnic areas. For a little post-picnic exercise, hop on the trail connector leading to the waterfront trail and enjoy the stroll and scenery.